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| Required tools for building a cabinet. |
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| FractalWalk:
--- Quote from: Santoro on April 21, 2004, 10:27:48 am --- Not required, but make it super-easy Table Saw Drill Press --- End quote --- I couldn't agree more. I put off buying these items until I realized that the time and headaches I would save far made up for the $150 it cost me to get them. Even thought I got cheap versions, they have been indispensible tools. I wish I had bought them before I even started my project. I would neve atempt to build a cab without the following (in order of importance): Cordless drill (2 would be nice) w/driver bits Router (template bit, laminate bit, straight bit, slot cutter) Table Saw Drill Press Jig saw Electrician's pliers Dremel (mostly for cutting) Many people substitute a circular saw for a table saw but in my experience it would at least double my project time and leave me with far less precise cuts. |
| BldnACab:
Certainly not for building, but comes in handy. Wet/Dry Vac MDF, what a mess!!! <BldnACab> |
| NY_in_TX:
what everyone else said plus CLAMPS. all shapes, all sizes, and as many as you can have ny |
| DougHillman:
My observations Circular saw vs. table saw: I own both and have not yet used the table saw at all during the construction of the 2 projects I am currently working on, nor did I use it on my previous aborted attempt. A straitedge clamped to the workpiece and a circular saw is MUCH more usable than trying to maneuver a 7' x 3' piece of wood on the table saw. Not really any less precise either. I will be using the table saw for the very precise cuts needed on the modular control panel I'm building, but these are smaller easily handleable pieces. Jigsaw: If you're building a cabinet without any curves you could reasonably dispense with this. Router: Theoretically, you could pretty much build your entire cabinet with just a good router. It can be used to replace both a circular saw and a jigsaw as well as performing typical router jobs such as cutting the T-molding slot and CP cutouts. It can do everything but drive the screws in. Drill/driver: Corded or a good cordless doesn't really matter. Needed to predrill screw holes and for driving screws. Also used to cut button & joystick holes. Roto-Zip type rotary tool: Marketed as somewhere between a router and a Dremel tool. I'm surprised that no one has mentioned these before. I've actually found that this is a complete replacement for a plunge or fixed base router. My actual router now just stays attached to its table. Dremel tool: While I think they're about the coolest thing ever, I've not used mine in cabinet construction yet. Useful for touchup of cuts & holes I suppose. Drill press: If you have one that'll fit the depth of your control panel, they're great for getting nice straight holes. Not mandatory though. If you're careful, you can do fine with a hole saw in a handheld drill. I've got two cabinets nearly completed and used just a Roto-Zip, a 14v DeWalt cordless Circular Trim Saw, and a 14v Dewalt cordless drill/driver. D |
| Santoro:
--- Quote from: NY_in_TX on April 21, 2004, 03:10:15 pm ---what everyone else said plus CLAMPS. --- End quote --- Amen, I can't believe I forgot clamps! |
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